Chillicothe's Haney, Douglas on Ingram's list of '50 Missourians You Should Know'

Wednesday

Mar 27, 2013 at 11:45 AMMar 27, 2013 at 11:55 AM

Two Chillicothe business leaders are among "50 Missourians You Should Know," as identified in an article published in the March 2013 edition of "Ingrams," a Kansas City business magazine.

Ed Douglas and Chuck Haney are among 50 of the "finest Missouri has to offer in business leadership, non-profit administration, higher education, arts, culture, sports and more," the article says.

Douglas is a banker, financial planner, author, tennis coach and mentor. At various times, he has been all these, and more. "And he's one reason why economic-development consultants say Chillicothe is a town blessed with more per-capita leadership than most any other town of nearly 10,000," the article stated. "Douglas is a true believer: In God, in family and in the power of compound interest."

The article highlights how Douglas is a former CEO of Citizens Bancshares, which he assisted in its growth from a single branch to two dozen other communities and $1 billion in assets before retiring after 32 years.

"Douglas also believes in free enterprise and the power of rural communities to excel, something frequently on display in Chillicothe, a community he calls blessed with energetic, engaged leaders."

Haney is the mayor of Chillicothe.

"Get Chuck Haney started on things that Chillicothe has done to better itself, and buckle up: He's going to take you on a whirlwind tour," the article states.

"From the new sports complex at the high school to the new facilities for the fire department and EMS, the 18-hole golf course, the aquatic park, the $35 million hospital under construction—and most of those built without any tax increases—Haney has a lot to talk about."

The rest of rural Missouri may have its issues, but those seem to have skirted his town of fewer than 10,000 people, per the article.

The article notes that Haney is a four-term mayor who entered public office after 40 years of working at the local newspaper and radio station.

Haney notes that Chillicothe is a hub for Cameron, Trenton, Brookfield and Carrollton, so it "punches above its economic weight."